Fluid flow control device



vJuly 11, 1.944. A. u. BYANT 2,353,143

' FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE Filed-sept. 29, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 1 23 I 3637 zg .Lx 39 y@ 33 54 ZIE INVENTOR July 11, 1944. A. U. BRYANT 2,353,143

` FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE I l Filed sept. 29, 1942 5 sheets-sheet s F1E E F' 1E f7 INVENTOR ATTORNEY July l1, 1944. A. u. BRYANT FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICE Filed sept. 29, 1942 Smeets-sheet 4 ATTORNEY July 11, 1944; A, U, BRYANT 2,353,143

FLUID FLOW CONTROL v DEVICE Filed Sept. 29, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY INVENTOR l -q v l #uff/'n' ryan BY l y 43 Y Patented July 1l, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT. orricE FLUID F'Low CONTROL DEVICE Austin U. Bryant, Berkeley, Calif., asaignor to Fluid Control Engineering Co., a copartnership consisting of Marvin' H. Grove and-Julia E. Grove, both of Piedmont, Calif.

Application september 29, l'slavseriai No. 460,091 7 claims.4 (c1. 137-139) This invention relates generally to devices for controlling th eA flow of various fluids.

It is an object of the invention to provide a ow control device which is particularly adapted to withstand the abrasive action of suspended solids and liquids, such as sand and the like.

Another object is to provide a ilowcontrol device which can be made to withstand the action I of various chemicals, as for example saltwater.

which is flexed in a novel manner to controlA iluid now, p

A further object is to provide a valve which can be made in large sizes, and which will make possible rapid shutoff Without mechanism such as supplemental motor operators.

Additional objects of the invention will appear vfrom the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forthin detail, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view in crossv section showing a device incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are enlarged cross sectional details showing the manner in which the rubber tube is flexed during different conditions of operation;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view in vcross section showinganother embodiment of the-invention;

Figure 'l is a view like Figure 6, b ut showing a third embodiment of the invention; t

Figure 8 is a view like Figure 6, but showing a fourth embodiment of the invention; i

Figure 9 is a side elevational view in cross section showing another embodiment of the invention, the device in this instance being adapted particularly as a pressure relief valve;

Figure 10 is an enlarged cross sectional detail showing particularly the means for establishing a seal about a control valve member;

Figure 11 is aside elevational view in cross section of a further embodiment, characterized particularly by a manual control valve mounted directly upon the body; and

` Figure 12 is a cross'sectional detail, in side elevation, showing a modied type of relief valve.

'I'he device as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, includes a body I0 which is formed to provide the fluid passages II and I2, Passage II in this instance is an inlet and is intended to be .coupled to a pipe which in turn connects with a source of uid under pressure'. Within the body there is a tube I3 formed of relatively flexible resilient material such as soft vulcanized rub. It is de-A ber, or equivalent synthetic material. sirable to makethis tube cylindrical, or substantially cylindrical, with its ends provided with integral outturned and inturned flanges I4 and IB respectively. It will be presently pointed out how the ends of this tube are sealed with respect to the body about passages II and l2.

' Within the tube I3 there is a barrier Il which r formed integral with the barrier Il, and as illustratod they consist of circumferentially spaced ribs 22 and 23, whereby iluid may ilow through the slots 24 and 26 between these ribs.k The end portions of the grids include the annular ring portions 21 and 2B. Ring portion 21 provides an annular face 29 vopposed to the annular shoulder 3l formed on the body, whereby the flange I 6 can be squeezed between these faces to provide the.

desired seal. Ring portion 28v has its end face 32 engaged by a shoulder.33 formed on the separate body part 34. Body part`34 is clamped to the main body'by suitable means such as bolts 35 engaging the adjacent ilanges 36 and 3l. It can be in the form of a ilanged coupling as illustrated for making connection t'o outow piping.

In orderto seal the flange I4 with respect to the body, this ange is clamped between an annular shoulder 38- formed on thebody, and the annular surface 39 formed upon the body part 34. While the diameter of peripheral surface I8 of barrier' l1 can be the same as the outer diameter of grids I9 and 2|, it is desirable to form it on a slightly larger diameter to facilitate machining.

The body I is also formedto provide al closed fluid chamber 4| which extends about the tube I3. Controlling fluid pressure is appliedI to this chamber through a suitable fluid duct such as pipe 42, in order toeiect opening and closing operations as will be presently described. The wall Illa of body I0 is annular in cross section and has its inner surface so disposed as to form an abutment to limit expansion of tube I3.

It is possible to connect pipe 42 to a separate and independent source of either pneumatic or liquid iluid under pressure to operate Ithe device. However, the particular arrangement illustrated is desirable for many applications, and makes use of fluid taken from the inflow side for effecting opening and closing operations. In applying this inflow pressure, a flow control valve is employed so that the fluid pressure in chamber 4| can either be increased to a value approximately equal to the inow pressure, or may be'vented to a lower pressure. In addition, with the smaller sized valves and when the device is connected to liquid inflow piping of considerable length, it is stretched in a radial direction. Assuming now desirable to incorporate means preventing too rapid closure.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, pipe 43 has its one end connected vto the inflow passage II and has its other end connected to the controlvalve 44. Pipe 42 connects between control valve 44 and chamber 4|. An orifice ,46 serves to somewhat restrict ow of liquid from passage II to the pipe 43. Also orifice 42a which connects pipe 42 with chamber 4I, ailords some flow restriction. A small pressure relief valve 41 is also shown connected to the pipe 43. This relief valve can be conventional in construction and can consist, for example, of a small valve member 48 urged upon a seat 49 by the compression spring 5I. It is set to automatically vent a small amount of liquid from the pipe 43 when liquid pressure within this pipe attains a value somewhat greater than the maxi-mum operating pressure for which the device is being applied. For example, if the inflow pressure ranges from 50 to 150 pounds; relief valve 41 is set to automatically vent a small amount of liquid from pipe 43 when the pressure in this pipe attains a somewhat greater value, such as 165 pounds orl more. As will be presently explained, the use of this relief valve is not essential.

Another desirable form of relief valve is shown in Figure 12. This valve includes a small diaphragm 48a, made of resilient material like rubber, and urged upon seat 49a by compression spring 5|a. Fluid pressure is applied to the under side of the diaphragm about seat 49a, and when a set pressure is reached, the diaphragm fiexes upwardly to permit flow through the seat.

Control valve 44 can vary in detail and can be either operated manually or operated from a remote point by suitable remote control operating means. In this instance it is illustrated as a simple valve of the plug type, with the -plug 52 provided, with a port 53. When in the position shown in Figure l, pipes 42 andv 43 are in communication, and fluid from the inow side can pass into the chamber 4I. When turned 90 in a clockwise direction, communication between pipes`42 and 43 is interrupted, and pipe 42 is connected to the vent pipe54.` lPipe 54 may connect with the outlet passage or it can be discharged to the atmosphere.

To describe operation of the device, it should be explained that in Figure 1, tube I3 has been shown in relaxed position, at which time its inf termediate portion is in engagement with the peripheral surface IB of the barrier I1. In this connection its is desirable that tube I3 be made with an inside diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of barrier I1, so that the tube fits snugly over the barrier, and is slightly that the inflow II is connected to an extended length of pipe, which in turn leads to a source of liquid under pressure, the liquid pressure is transmitted through pipes 43 and 42 (when the control valve 44 is open as shown in Figure l), and applied in chamber 4I about the tube I3. Tube I3 is collapsed or in close engagement with both the grids I9 and 2| and the barrier (Figure l).

To open the valve to permit flow of liquid past the barrier I1, valve 44 is turned to connect pipes 42 and 54, thus venting liquid from chamber 4| to the atmosphere. Initially this causes that portion I3@ of the rubber tube on the inlet side (about grid I9) to expand to substantially the position shown in Figure 3. This places the tube I3 in a peculiar form in which one tube portion |3a is expanded against the wall IIla, and a second tube portion l3b is subjected to pressurein chamber 4| and remains pressed inwardly upon the peripheral surface I8 and upon the abutment grid 2|. `A third intermediate unsupported portion I3c is shaped generally like a truncated cone, and extends between the barrier and wall |0a.

As the liquid from chamber 4| continues to vent to the atmosphere, the conical shaped portion 3c progresses in the direction of the` axis of the tube, to a position such as shown in Figure 4, in which an annular orlce 56 is formed between the periphery of the barrier I1 and the adjacent portion of the tube. It will be evident that liquid is now free to flow from the inlet side through orifice 56 to the outlet I2, the flow passing through the slots 24 and 2,6. In the event some back pressure is built up in the outlet I2, While the vdevice is fully open, such back pressure will cause the entire length of the tube to be expanded into engagement with the surrounding wall Illa, as illustrated in Figure 5.

In order to close the device after it has been opened, it is only necessary to turn the control valve 44 back to the position shown in Figure 1, in which event liquid from the inflow side is again applied to chamber 4| to return the tube to the position shown in Figure 1. While in the process of closing, the portion |3b of the tube is first collapsed to close upon the major part of the grid 2|, after' which the intermediate portion of the tube closes upon the barrier, andv finally tube portion |3a completely collapses upon the grid I9.

In closing the device, water hammer may re-` sult in the event it is connected to an extended inflow pipe and the shutdown is effected too quickly, particularly where the smaller sized valves are employed (for example, 2 inch). Relief valve 41 prevents too rapid shutoff under such conditions, even though the control valve 44 ismoved substantially instantaneously to the position shown in Figure 1. In accomplishingfthis result, the relief valve by venting a small #391mb of liquid relieves any excessive surge' thus preventing too rapid introduction of water into chamber 4|. Where the inow piping or the usage is such that the device is not subject to Y pressure surges. or where the sizeof the valve imposes an inherent time lag for closing, as with larger sized valves (such as 4 inches or more), the relief valve may be omitted together with oriilce 46.

Due regard must be given to the dimensioning of, the annular clearance about tube I3 in the region of the barrier .|1. vIf this clearance, marked X in Figures 1 and 2, is made too large, severe chattering' will result for substantially all operating pressures, and the device will be virtually useless for most applications. The

chattering takes place during opening and closing operations and tends to place severe strains upon associated piping and to cause wear or disintegration of, the rubber tube. It is experienced not only when vhandling liquids with application'of liquid pressure to chamber. 4I, but also where liquids are handled with application oi' air or other gas under pressure about the tube I3. Even when handling ow of gases an excessive clearance will cause a vibratory or iluttering action of the rubber tube, such as is conducive to rapid wear or disintegration. To demonstrate the enect of the clearance X upon operation of the device, I have constructed a.

large number of sample devices with different clearances, and have operated such devices over a wide range of operating pressures. Pertinent examples of these tests are as follows:

Example I.The device was constructed substantially as shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, with a barrier having a diameter o( 2% inches and a width of about of an inch (on its outer periphery), for a 2 inch valve, and with a tube made of resilient rubber M; of an inch thick. With a clearance X of about of an inch, op-

eration was distinctly unsatisfactory in that the l device was subject to chatter during opening and closing operations, for operating pressures ranging from 30 to 200 lbs. per square inch. With a clearance of V4 oi' an inch for the same device, chattering was substantially relieved, but

not entirely cured over the sameoperating range. With a clearance less than 1/4 of'an inch, namely about 1% of an inch, the device operated smoothly vwithout chattering for the same pressure range.

Example [L -The device was constructed as described above, with a barrier 11/2 inches in diameter and about l/2 inch wide (at its outer periphery), for a l inch valve. Rubber tubes Were used lhaving both 1/8 and 11g inch wall thicknesses. With a clearance'of about e, of an inch -about the barrier, both'tubes operated satisfactorily without chattering over the pressure range indicated above. With a clearance of about if of an inch .a small amount of chatter was noticed for both tubes during opening and closing operations. 'I'he thinner walled rubber tube tended to chatter slightly more for the same clearance. With a clearance of 1% of an inch, the

chatter became quite severe for both tubes over the above pressure range.

Example IIL-The device' was made as a 6 inch valve, with a barrier 8 inches in diameter l in the region of the barrier is critical and is de#- pendent upon the diameter of the barrier. In actual commercial designs for 4 inch 'valves or larger I proportion this clearance to be about le() to 1,52 of the diameter oi' the barrier, in order to secure proper satisfactory operation over a wide range of operating pressures. Somewhat greater clearances can be used in some instances, such as about 11g the diameter of the barrier, but when clearances of the order of about 116 the diameter of the barrier are employed, the device is subject to chattering for operating pressures of the, order of from 30 to 200 lbs. per square inch. As shown by the examplesthe higher ratios are desirable for the larger sized valves.

Other factors also inuence chattering, but not to the same extent as the clearance. For example, chattering is influenced by such factors ample with the dimensions specied above'the v annular orifice area about the barrier corresponding 'to open position of the valve, amounts to about 50% or less of the cross sectional ilow area of the`pipe diameter for which the valve is designed. 'I'his is no serious detriment because with proportions such as specified the ilow resistance through the valve compares favorably with or is better than standard globe valves.

The fact that the grid slots 23 and 24, and particularly the slots .on the inflow side, are relatively long compared to their width, also aids inv conjunction with the clearance to alford smooth operationrwithout chattering. In actual commercial designs the cross sectional flow area af.- forded by the combined area of these slots, on the inflow side, corresponds generally to the crosssectional ilow area of the pipe size to which the valve is designed. However, the length of these slots causes a graduated cutoff' of the flow as the tube is collapsed along 'the outflow grid portion, to ultimately engage the periphery of the barrier. to proportion the length of the slots on the outflow side to approximately 1/3 of the diameter of the barrier, or more.

In the foregoing examples and explanation of chattering, reference has been made to use of pressures ranging from 30 to 200 lbs. per square inch. 'I'his is a pressure range covering a wide variety of applications for such valves. Withl adapted for use with various liquids and chemicalls. Ordinary resilient rubber is not attacked by a wide variety of chemicals, .and the inner In general I have found it desirable 'y However, in many commercial applil size valves.

metal parts'of the device can be readily made of special metals or alloys, to resist chemical corrosion. For example, the device can be successfully used in the handling of salt Water which is difllcult to handle by conventional valves. the event the liquid being handled consists of or contains material which will deteriorate rubber, as for example. hydrocarbons, then the tube l@ can be made of special pliable materials, such as Neoprene, "Buna.Hycar, or like synthetic products. 4

A further feature of the/device is that in the embodiment described the primary power for effecting opening and closing operations is derived from fluid taken from the inow side. The control valve requiresvery little energy for its operation, and as previously pointed out, irrespective of the rapidity with which this valve is moved between its -operating positions, the main' flow is controlled without chatter or water hammer over a wide variety of operating pressures.

A further feature of the device is that it is capable of resisting abrasion by solids carried in the liquid stream. For example, the device can be operated for long periods of time on'water carrying sand and silt which would severely cut the sealing surfaces of ordinary conventional valves. If the action of abrasives should effect lsome cutting of the periphery I8, it has been found that the cutting takes the form of annular channeling extending about the barrier, and that in spite of such channeling, the device will still shut oft' tightly.

`Reference has been made to the form of the tube during an opening operation as shown in Figure 3, and to the progression of tube portion I3c until the valve is open. This progression is accompanied by a peeling away of the tube from the periphery of the barrier, whichl is desirable in that it tends to assist in separating the tube from the barrier, irrespective of any tendency for the tube to adhere.

Flow resistance through the valve is not excessive, and inv fact the valve in this respect is somewhat superior to standard globe Valves. This is made possible by use of a rubber tube substantially larger than the inlet and outlet passages, which also permits use of a clearance about the tube which is sufiiciently small to prevent chattering and to/ aiford the desired peeling action described above.

A further feature of the device is that in the event of injury or rupture of the tube I3, it can be readily replaced by detaching the body part 3l after which the-assembly comprising the rubber tube, barrier I1, and grids I9 and 2| can be slipped out of the body.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the device where the valve is inserted in a right angle bend. Thus, a detachable elbow 58 is secured to the main body 59, and retains the rubber tube and barrier in place the same as the body part 34 of Figure 1. The barrier 6I together with the inner annular grids 62 and 63 are similar to the barriers |1 and grids I9 and 20 of Figure l, except that the parts are designed for greater strength as is desirable for4 larger The chamber 64 surrounding the tube 5'6 is shown receiving controlling fluid from the pipe 61. This pipe can correspond to the pipe 4,2 of Figure 1, and it can connect to the inlet side in commotion with controlling and relief valves as previously described. Pipe 61 can also connect to a source of gas under pressure,

I so that gas pressure can be applied to chamber In.l

` When the valve isl opened, the fluid may pass from inlet 61`about the barrier 6| to the outlet The embodiment shown in Figure '1 is likewise a right angle valve, and has thev characteristic that the inner assembly can be' readily removed without disturbing the connections to the inflow and outflow piping. Thus, in this case the body 1|- is provided with the inflow and outflow passages 12 and 13 at right angles to each other. The inner assembly comprising the resilient tube 14, barrier 16, and grids 11 and 18 is the same' as shown in Figure 6. A ported sleeve 19 extends into one side of the body, and is retained in place by an outer flange 8| and the clamping screws 82. The inner end of the sleeve 19 bears upon the adjacent end of grid 11-to provide tight clamping engagement upon flange 83, and in'i addition it clamps upon the adjacent outturned flange 86, thus effectively retaining the inner assembly in place and sealing the ends of the tube 14 with respect to the body. It will be evident that the inner assembly'comprising the rubber tube, barrier 16, and the grids..11 and 18, can' lbe readily removed from the body for replacement or repair, after removing the sleeve 19.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment which has inlet and outlet passages in alignment, and which is also adapted for the removal of the inner assembly without disturbing .connections with the inflow and outflow piping. Thus, in this case body 81 has the aligned inflow and outflow passages 88 and 89, and which within the body are both deflected laterally and parallel. The wall portion 81a, which in part has an inner partition and in part forms an outer wall for the body, is annularly shaped and corresponds generally to the wall I0a Figure 1. nular chamber 9| is formed about the tube 92, and this chamber is connected to a source of controlling fluid through pipe 93. The innery assembly comprising the tube 92, together with the barrier 94 and grids 95 and 96, is in this instance shaped as shown in Figure 1, and is re. tained in place by the ported sleeve 98. This sleeve in turn is engaged by the outer closure plate 99. Upon removal of the closure plate 99,l it is apparent that sleeve 98 vcan be removed, and also one can remove the inner assembly comprising the resilient tube 92, the barrier 9|, and the' adjacent grids 95 and 96.

Because the axis of the resilient tube in Figure 8 is at right angles'to the line of centers of the inflow and outflow passages, it is possible in this instance to have the inflow and outflow. connecting flanges spaced relatively close together, thus making the device interchangeable with other valves of standard construction.

Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment which is adapted for removal of the inner assembly without disturbing connections'with the in flow and outflow spring. Also in this instance a type of fluid operated control valve is employed so that the device can serveA as a pressure relief device. Thus the body |00 has aligned inflow and outflow passages |0| and |02. The inner assembly comprising the rubber tube |03, barrier |00, and the grids |05 and |05a, is positioned within a bore |06 which extends at an angle to the line of centers of passages IOI and |02. The

Thus, an an-v the diaphragm plate |23.

inner assembly is vretained in position by the ported sleeve |08, which is attached to the closure plate |09. When the tube |03 is in open position with respect to the barrier, fluid iiow occurs from passage into the ported sleeve |08, past the barrier, and to the outilow open- A closed'fluid chamber ||1 is formed below the4 diaphragm and is connected by pipe ||8 to the inow passage |0|. The space below valve seat ||2 is connected by pipe ||9 to the chamber |20 about the tube |03. nect the space above the seat ||2 to the outlet opening |02.

Diaphragm |,|5 is loaded by the compression spring |22, the lower end of which is seated upon gages the upper .end of this spring to make adjustments.

A seal is established about ,the upper end of valve ||3 by the tube |25. This tube is formed of resilient material such as soft vulcanized rubber. and the collapsing of the tube is prevented by a helical wire spring |26, which is embedded within the rubber. The upper and lower ends of this tube are sealed with respect to the dia.- phragm and the body. This seal is established by having the upper end of tube |25 engage an annular shoulder |21, carried by the diaphragm about stud ||4. 'Ilhe lower en d of the tube |25 The pipe |2| serves to conf A set screw |24 en-l seats uponan annular abutment surface |28 formed about the valve member I3 on the body. i

Normal compression ofthe tube |25 serves to maintain the desired sealing engagement between the ends of the tube and the adjacent sur faces just described.

lower end seated upon the body, and its upper'4 end engaging the}enlarged head |30 on the valve member I3.

In4 conjunction with the pipe connections described for Figure 9, a flow connection |3| interconnects pipes ||8 and H9, and in this ilaow connection there is a flow restricting oriiice |32.

To describe the operation of Figure 9, it will be presumed that the inlet passage |0| is connected to a, source of liquid under pressure, and that it is desired to discharge 'liquid from the source in the event the liquid pressure rises above a predetermined value. Assuming first thatthe inlet pressure is below the value required for operation, the inlet pressureis transmitted through orliice |32 and pipe ||8 toA the chamber |20 to the tube |03 closed upon the barrier |04. Should the inlet pressure rise above the predetermined desired value, diaphragm 5 is forced upwardly to open valve member I3, thus venting liquid vthrough pipe |2|. This in effect vents liquid from the chamber |20 and immediately lowers the pressure in this chamber because' insuflicient liquid can pass through orifice |32 to maintain a pressure invchamber. |20 with valve ll3'open. As a result, the tube |03'moves toward open position, thus permitting the liquid to flow out from the liquid storage tank or other source'at a. vregulated rate. When the pressure applied to the inflow passage has dropped below a predetermined value, whichis somewhat'lower than the initial operating pressure, the pressure in the chamber below the diaphragm |'I5 drops to a value such that the diaphragm moves downwardly under the urge of spring |22 to close about member |04. chamber |20 increases until this pressureequals the inflow pressure, thus causing the tube |03 to completely close upon the barrier.

Another' embodiment is illustrated in Figure l1 which Lembodies 4a special manually operated valvefor its operation. Thus in this instance the body |33 alsohas aligned inow and outow passages |34 and |35, and the inner assembly comprising e rubber tube |36, barrier |31, and grids |38 and |38, is carried within a bore |40, which Vis at an angle to the line of centers of passages |34 and |35. The inner assembly is held in lpositionlby the threaded closure plug |4| which carries the inner ported sleeve |42.

The -body is also ported to receive the tubular linerv |43 which forms a part of the manual valve means for controlling operation of the device. The side walls of this liner are provided with three sets of ports |44, |45 and |46. The duct |41 in the body serves to connect the inflow passage |34 with'the ports |44, Within this duct there is a, flow restricting oriiice |48. Duct |48 serves to establish communication between the chamber |5| about the tube |36 and the ports |45. A duct |52 communicates with ports |45 and serves 'to vent oil liquid either to' the atmosphere or to a low pressure outilow side. Within able plunger |55. I'heouter end of this plunger carries a short operating lever |56which is engageable in either one of two positioning slots |51 and |58.

Operation vof the device shown in Figure 11 can be brieily outlined as follows: With the cup washers positioned as shown in Figure 11, fluid from the inflow side is free -to pass through duct |41. ports |44 and |45, to the chamber |5| about the resilient tube |35. Thus, if the inflow passage |34 is connected to a source of liquid under pressure, the rubbertube is closed upon the barrier. When the operating leverj|5| is shiftedl to its second positioninwhich it is engaged in slot |58, cup washer |53 moves to a position intermediate portions |44 and |45, thus interrupting communication between the inflow passage and cham- 4 ber |5|, and venting this chamber through ports y tube being adaptedto engage and seal upon the |45 and |45 to the venting duct |52. As'previously described, this causes the tube |35 to 'be expanded to open position. Relief valve. 41, as

' previouslyl described, prevents too rapid shutoi,

irrespective ofthe rapidity with which lever |56 having its ends sealed with respect to the body about the passages, a circularly contoured barrier disposed within the tube intermediate the ends of thesame,l the adjacent annular portion of the Thereafter pressure in 1 periphery of the barrier, grids disposed within the end portions of the'tube on opposite sides of the barrier to prevent inward collapsing' of the tube,

' and meansl forming a closed annular fluid chamber about the tube and extending a substantialdistance on both the inlet and outlet sides of the barrieri. there being a duct communicating with that portion of the chamber on the outflow side ofthe barrier for applying a controlling fluid. under pressure to the same, said means includ.- ing an annular abutment wall surrounding the tube in a region surrounding the barrier, said abutment wall being positioned with respect to the barrier and the outer surface'of the tube so A that one portion of the tube on the inflow side of the barrier can be expanded in contact with the disposed within the tube intermediate the ends of the same and having a diameter greater than the diameter of the passages, the adjacent annular portion of the tube being adapted to engage and seal upon the periphery of the barrier, grids disposed within the end portions of the tube on opposite sides of the barrier to prevent inward collapsing oi the tube, and means forming a closed annular fluid chamber about the tube and extending a substantial distance on both the inlet and outlet sides of the barrier, there being a duct communicating with that portion of the chamber on the outflow side of .the barrier for applying a controlling fluid under pressure, said last means including an annular abutment wall surrounding the tube in a region adjacent the barrier, said abutment wall being so positioned' with respect to the barrier and the outer surface of the tube that one portion of the tube on the inflow side of the barrier can be expanded in contact with said wall by fluid pressure applied to one of the passages, while an adjacent annular tube portion can be retained in sealed engagementv with the periphery of the barrier by fluid -pressure within said chamber, said tube portions when so positioned being joined by a tube portion shaped like a truncated cone, reduction of fluid pressure in said chamber serving to form an orifice betweenIthe barrier and the tube for flow of fluid between the passages.

3. In a flow control device, a body having inlet and outlet passages for flow of fluid, a tube of resilient material disposed within the body and` gage and seal upon the periphery of the barrier,

grids disposed within the end `portions of the tube on opposite sides of the barrier to prevent inward collapsing of the tube, the grid on the inflow side of the barrier affording a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending from the barrier .for a distance at least about one third the diameter of`said barrier, and means forming a closed annular fluid chamber about the tube and lextending a substantial distance on both the inlet and outlet sides of the barrier, there being va duct communicating with that portion of the chamber on the outflow side of the barrier for applying a controlling fluid under pressure, said last means including an annular abutment wall surrounding the tube in a regionadjacent the barrier, said abutment wall being so positioned with respect to the barrier and the outersurface of the tube that one portion of the tube on the inflow side of the barrier can be expanded in same by fluid pressure applied to one of the pastube portions when so positioned being joined by contact with said wall by uid pressure applied lto one of the passages, while an adjacent annular tube portion can be retained in sealed engagement with the periphery of the barrier by fluid pressure within said chamber, said tube portions when so positioned being joined by a tube 'portion shaped like a truncated cone, reduction of fluid pressure in said chamber serving to form an orifice between the barrier and the tube for flow of fluid between the passages.

4. In a flow control device, a body having inflow and outflow passages for flow of fluid, a cylindrical shaped tube of resilient material disposed within the body and having its ends sealed with respect to the body about the passages, a circularly contoured barrier disposed within the sleeve intermediate the ends of the same, the adjacent annular portion of the tube being adapted to engage and seal upon the periphery of the barrier, grid means disposed within the end portions of the tube on opposite sides of the bar* rier to prevent inward collapsing of the tube, and means forming a closed annular fluid chamber about the tube and extending a substantial distance on both the inlet and outlet sides of the barrier, there being Ya duct communicating with that portion of the chamber on the outflow side of the barrier for applying a controlling fluid under pressure whereby the tube can be either caused to seal upon the periphery of the barrier or permitted to pass fluid through an orice between the periphery of the barrier and the tube 'when fluid under pressure is applied to one of the passages, said last means including an annular abutment wall surrounding the tube in the` region of the barrier, said abutment wall being so positioned with respect to the barrier and the outer surface of the tube that one end portion of the tube on the inow side of the barrier can be expanded in contact with said wall by fluid pressure applied to the inflow passage, whilean adjacent annular tube portion is retained in sealed engagement with the periphery of the bar-- rier by fluid pressure within said chamber, said the fluid chamber to a lower value substantially below the pressure in said one passage serving to cause progression of said conical shaped portion longitudinally of the tube to form an annular orifice between the tube and the barrier.

5. Invia flow control device, abody having inflow and outflow passages for flow of fluid, a tube of resilient material disposed within the body and having its ends sealed with respect to the body about the passages, a circularly contoured barrier disposed within the sleeve intermediate the ends of the same, the adjacent annular portion of the tube being adapted to engage and seal upon the periphery of the barrier, means disposed within the end portions of the tube on opposite fsides of the barrierv to prevent inward collapsing of the tube, and means forming a closed annular fluidchamber about the tube and extending a. substantial distance on both the inlet and outlet sides of the barrier, there -being a duct communicating with that portion of the chamber f on the outflow side of the barrier for applying a controlling iiuid under pressure whereby the tube can be caused to either seal upon the pen'phery of the barrier or can be, permitted to expand to permit flow of iluid between said passages and through an annular orifice about th'e periphery of the barrier,'said last means including an annular abutment wall surrounding the tube in the region of the barrier, the clearance between the outer lsurface ofthe tube and said abutment Wall, when the tube is `engaged with the periphery of the barrier, being of the order of from about one-sixteenth to onetwentieth of the diameter of the barrier.

6. In a ilow control device, a body having inflow and outflow passages for iiow of fluid, the inflow .passagel being adapted forconnection with piping to which liquid under pressure can be applied, a tube of resilient material disposed -within the body and having its ends sealed with respect to the body about said passages, means forming a closed uid chamber about the tube,

the tube being adapted to effect a seal between said passages when pressure is appliedl to said chamber substantially equal to the inflow pressure, a duct serving to form a liquid connection between the inflow side of the deviceand said chamber, control valve means .serving to either establish or interrupt said connection, and also serving to vent said chamber to a lower pressure y when communication through said Aconnection -posed within the body and having its ends sealed with respect to the body about the passages, a circularly contoured barrier disposed within the sleeve intermediate the ends of the same, the adjacent annular portion' of Vthe tube being adapted to engage and seal upon the periphery of the barrier, means disposed within Vthe end portions of the tube on opposite sides of the barrier to prevent inward collapsing of the tube, means forming a closed annular fluid chamber about the tube; a restricted orifice connected to receive liquid from the inilow side of the device, means connecting the discharge side vof the orice to said chamber, valve means for controlling communication through said connection, whereby said .connection can either be established to apply inilow pressure to said chamber or can be interrupted and pressure vented from said chamber, and 'means for automatically venting liquid from the discharge side of said orifice in the event the pressure of liquid after passing through the oriiice exceeds the normal operating inflow pressure.

AUSTIN U. BRYANT. 

